The Steelers announced their full 2026 coaching staff on Friday. It features new game management/quarterbacks coach Tim Berbenich and tight ends coach Robert Kugler as well as defensive assistant Shawn Howe.
Berbenich, 46, has worked in the NFL since 2003 with a variety of roles with seven different teams. His last three jobs were with the Teams (tight ends coach, 2022), Rams (coaching analyst, 2023), and Falcons (pass game specialist/game management, 2024-2025). Unlike many of the Steelers’ new offensive coaches, Berbenich has not worked with Mike McCarthy in the past. He has not worked with Aaron Rodgers either, nor has the team’s other QBs coach, Tom Arth. This is somewhat of a surprise considering the current expectation that Rodgers re-signs with the Steelers this offseason.
Kugler has been an assistant offensive line coach for the past five seasons with time in Houston (2021), Carolina (2022-2023) and New England (2024-2025). He previously worked with tight ends at UTEP in 2017 with brief stints at the University of Washington and Appalachian State before he came to the NFL.
The Steelers’ top three tight ends – Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington – are all set to return for the 2026 season. Smith disappointed in his reunion with former Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, averaging just 13.1 yards per game and 5.8 yards per reception. Freiermuth and Washington were much more productive with similar target shares. The trio will likely be a major part of Pittsburgh’s new offense with little established talent at wide receiver.
Howe is entering the NFL after 21 years at the college level. He most recently worked for Montana State, starting in 2021 as a run game coordinator/defensive line coach. Howe was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2024; in 2005, he held the title on his own and led the Bobcats to their first-ever FCS National Championship. With a long history as a defensive line coach, Howe will likely continue working with that position group in Pittsburgh.